Would it be odd to give food to neighbour?!

[Jessiebabes]

I had friends to dinner yesterday and cooked something nice. The dish I cooked did my friends contains things I can’t eat (I made a separate version for myself), and it seems a pity to waste what’s left, so I’m wondering whether to give it to my neighbour. I’ve only lived here a few months and don’t know my neighbour super-well, but I know them a bit. Would you be pleased if a neighbour offered you food left over from a dinner party, or would you think it odd?

[Jessiebabes]

for my friends

[RolytheRhino]

A glut of garden-grown fruits or veggies, not weird. Dinner party left overs, very weird. Why didn't you just give it to your guests in a container?

[Jessiebabes]

Just to add - I had a neighbour in the past who gave me leftover food, and I was thrilled!

[Jessiebabes]

Why I didn’t give it to them - didn’t think of it, also they were travelling home by train and probably wouldn’t have wanted it in their bags. (I wouldn’t want to carry food on a train, as it would smell.)

[Auntyfannybaws]

My old neighbor once brought me in a steak dinner as she had extra. I was just about to make toast as my DH was working away and had just got kids to bed. IV never loved anyone more

[Lllot5]

No I don’t suppose you neighbours want you’re left overs. Put it in the freezer, or chuck it out.

[moreismore]

I think it’s well intentioned but a bit weird. I would prob thank you politely and then bin it. I would freeze it and have to hand when a friend pops over another time.

[Mumdiva99]

Hmmm. A neighbour I didn't know well not sure. A local neighbour from a different culture offering me their native foods - yes please. (we have an annual street party and the foods are amazing especially the Currys and Daals!). We had a Sri Lankan neighbour for years and the smells that came out when they were cooking was amazing..... I would gladly have had their left overs.

What about inviting them over for lunch, as you have so many left overs to eat up. Then they can say no if they hate the idea...or come....or give you chance to explain what you just said here. And you might build a lovely relationship with them.

[BuxbyFree]

It depends if its a full meal or just literal left overs. And dont tell them left overs say spare 😂

My neighbour came round once with spare stew, it was lovely

[Jessiebabes]

Thank you for the replies! Freezing it is a great idea!

[MrsGarethSouthgate]

I think we need to know what the dish is to give a reasoned response. Please elaborate ~food porn alert~

[Jessiebabes]

Lol! :) It’s pasta in tarragon and white wine sauce.

[Jessiebabes]

(Enough for about 2 meals)

[Jessiebabes]

@BuxbyFree Good point - spare sounds a lot better! 😂

[Jessiebabes]

(I served it with pork meatballs, and I do have plenty of those spare too, but it’s just the pasta I was thinking of giving away, as meatballs somehow look less appetising to give!)

[DiaryofWimpyMumm]

My ex neighbour was always giving me good, leftovers Chinese, soup, chicken pie. I kind of miss her now tbh and I'm also down to a size 10 for the first time in years?!

[OneKeyAtATime]

Pasta doesn't taste great reheated I find so I would not in this case. I would however think it s a lovely gesture.

[Lemond1fficult]

Depending on where you live, there's a very good app called Olio to give away leftover food, cooked meals and household items.

I work in events, and use it to get rid of the massive over-catering at the end of each day. I've only ever had very polite people getting in touch, and they're usually the kind of people who don't like waste, and are obviously happy to trust a stranger's cooking.

As well as food, I've given away skincare, leftover paint, furniture, bedding etc so I'm very enthusiastic about it.

[Jessiebabes]

That app sounds brilliant!!

[Jessiebabes]

Countless times I’ve thought it would be great if an app like that existed - delighted to discover that it does! I’ve just downloaded it.

[myolivetree]

Kind gesture from you OP. I'd be touched if my neighbour did this.

[Lemond1fficult]

Yay! Join us, @Jessiebabes - it's the best thing to happen to my cupboards in a long time.